Device for marking cartons by branding

ABSTRACT

A device for branding data onto an article which fundamentally comprises a stationary heater and die assembly operatively opposed to a reciprocating hammer assembly. Actuation of the hammer forces the article into branding engagement with the heated die. The die is readily removable from the structure of the invention and provides for easy changing thereof while the heater assembly itself is readily removable from the structure for cleaning, storage or service.

United States Patent 11 1 Fisher, deceased et al.

[ 1 Dec.2, 1975 DEVICE FOR MARKING CARTONS BY BRANDING 221 Filed: May23,1974

211 App]. No.1 472,881

[52] US. Cl. 101/9; 101/31; 101/41; 10l/DIG. 3 [51] Int. Cl. B41F 17/24;B44B 5/02 [58] Field of Search 101/9, 10, 11, 41, 44, 101/31, 42, 43,28, 29, 30, DIG. 3

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,694,955 12/l928 Van Veenl0l/ll X 2,025,691 12/1935 Mintz 2,047,373 7/1936 Kingsley 101/92,819,671 l/1958 Porter, Jr. ct al.... 101/44 3,025,786 3/1962 Johnsonct al i lOl/44 3,118,370 l/l964 Johnson ct al 101/44 X 3,244,092 4/1966Gottscho et al. 101/9 3,765,326 l0/l973 Hawkins l01-/44 3,823,664 7/1974Shenoha 101/41 Primary ExaminerClifford D. Crowder Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Oldham & Oldham Co.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A device for branding data onto an article whichfundamentally comprises a stationary heater and die assembly operativelyopposed to a reciprocating hammer assembly. Actuation of the hammerforces the article into branding'engagement with the heated die. The dieis readily removable from the structure of the invention and providesfor easy changing thereof while the heater assembly itself is readilyremovable from the structure for cleaning, storage or service.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures I04 a Q s 54 U.S. Patent Dec. 2, i975 Sheet1 of2 3,922,964

66 70\ 74 no 5 :6 8 s4 \68 22 59 3 V 7 .3 I: I04 w \w US. Patent Dec.2,1975 Sheet20f2 3 ,922,964

FIE-4 DEVICE FOR MARKING CARTONS BY BRANDING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe proper packaging and retailing of perishable consumer goods requiresthat accurate records or markings be made as to the date of packaging sothat the goods may be removed from a public offering prior to that timeat which spoilage or diminution of quality occurs. It has become commonpractice to label packages of baked goods so that the final day of salewhereon freshness is guaranteed may be readily ascertained. Similardatings have been utilized for the proper retailing of those liquidbeverages distributed in cartons such as juices, milk, and other dairyproducts. It has been found that the means employed for affixing suchdates or other data must be rapid in operation, function reliably, andbe conducive for utilization on a mass distribution line.

Many dating devices are known and utilized in the art of packagingconsumer goods but fail to provide the simplistic and reliablefunctioning as provided for in the apparatus of the invention. Thosepatented devices known to the applicant are taught in the following U.S.Pat. Nos. 2,369,172; 2,597,634; 2,740,351; 2,887,835; 2,919,643;3,301,370; 3,373,286; and 3,575,755.

None of the structures of the known prior art patents operate in thepreferred manner of the instant invention nor do they present areciprocating hammer assembly to push an article tab or the like againsta heated die having indicia thereon. Further, none of the known devicesutilize a readily changeable die as is an attribute of the applicantsinvention. Other differences and advantages of the invention over thestructures of the prior art will become apparent as the detaileddescription proceeds.

For a complete understanding of the objects, techniques and structure ofthe invention reference should be had to the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the hammer assembly of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the hammer assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the heater and die assembly of theinvention; and

FIG. 4 is an end view of the heater and die assembly as shown in FIG. 3.

HAMMER ASSEMBLY Referring now to the drawing and more particularly FIG.1, it can be seen that the hammer assembly of the invention isdesignated generally by the numeral 10. Affixed to and suspended from ahorizontal support element 36 is a skinner solenoid 12 having an airinlet 14 protruding therefrom. Preferably, the inlet 14 will be affixedto a 50-60 psi pressure source such that when the solenoid 12 isactuated air is forced through the inlet 14, the solenoid l2, and thepressure hose 16 to an air cylinder 18. The application of the airpressure to the cylinder 18 causes actuation of the push rod 20 outwardfrom the cylinder 18 and to the left as shown in FIG. 1. The aircylinder 18 includes a spring return mechanism or other such apparatusto withdraw the push rod 20 when the application of pressure to thecylinder is terminated by cessation of the excitation of the solenoid12. Consequently, the push rod 20 operates in a reciprocating manner. Auniversal joint 22 is pro- 2 vided at the end of the rod 20 to makeengagement with a push bar assembly 24. The assembly 24 includes a pushbar 25 slidably engaged between top guides 26 and side guides '28. Ascan be readily seen in the figures, the push bar 25 and the push rod 20are operatively engaged to each other by threaded engagement with theuniversal joint 22.

Appropriately affixed to the end of the push bar 28 is a hammer head 30of preferably resilient and heat resistant material such as urethane,nylon, or polytetrafluoroethylene. A slide 32 is affixedly attached tothe hammer head 30 and operative to reciprocate upon an end support 34which connects to and protrudes from an end of a horizontal support 36.The slide 32 and end support 34 are of such nature as to be attached toan appropriate vertical mounting bracket 38 for appropriate attachmentalong a processing line.

HEATER AND DIE ASSEMBLY Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, an understandingof the heater and die assembly mechanism may be had. The system shownincorporates two separate dies 50 of stainless steel, aluminum, or otherappropriate construction but of course may incorporate any number ofdies in accordance with the teachings of the invention. The dies 50 areremovably secured by means of a removable die holder 52 and a stationarydie holder 54; the latter die holder being affixedly connected, forexample by welding, to a back-up block 76. A heating element 56 such asthe Vulcan A-2425-2300 watt heating element is securedly placed directlyadjacent the top die 50 and secured to a stainless steel heater box 58by means of a set screw 59. The heater box 58 is preferably of stainlesssteel construction and filled with an asbestos insulation 60. Fixedlyconnected to the top of the heater box is a clamp rod assembly 62 whichcomprises a sleeve 64 and a central push rod 66 connected at one endthereof to a plunger handle 72 and at the other end thereof to the topof the heater box 58. A spring 68 is spirally wound about the rod 66 andappropriately retained by means of a retainer 70 at one end and thehorizontal frame plate 92 at the other. The normal tendency of thebiasing spring 68 is to force the push rod 66 upward so as to fixedlyretain the heater box 58 against the lower edge of the frame member 92.A release handle 74 is fixedly connected to the sleeve 64. To remove theentire heater assembly of the system, a compressive action isaffectuated between the plunger handle 72 and the release handle 74.This act forces the heater box 58 downward and out of engagement withthe frame member 92. The entire assembly may then be slid outwardthrough the slot 75 and thus be removed from the assembly for purposesof cleaning or storage. Thus the entire heater assembly of the system isremovable therefrom by a very simplistic operation.

Positioned at the bottom of the back-up block 76 and fixedly attachedthereto by means of cap screws 80 is a vise jaw 78. An arcuate groove 82is positioned along the element 78 for making supporting engagement witha pin 84 passing through a Tee bolt 86. A Tee nut 88 connected to ashaft 90 and appropriate handle is operative to perform in the normalmanner. The engagement of the bolt 86 and nut 88 is achieved through ahole 98 present in the horizontal frame plate 92. A cap 96 is positionedover the hole 98 to provide supporting engagement for nut 88 whileallowing free rotational engagement of the bolt-nut assembly 86,88. A

pivot plate 102 depends from the horizontal frame member 90 and makessocket and shoulder engagement at 104 with the vise jaw 78. Thefunctional operation of the assembly just described should now bereadily apparent. By appropriately turning the handle 100 andaffectuating engagement of the bolt and nut 86,88, the vise jaw 78 willmake initial engagement at the socket and shoulder pivot point 104 andthen be forced into pivotal gripping engagement with the die holder 54and back-up block 76 to make contacting engagement between the variouselements 56,50,52, and 54. There is consequently achieved the bestpossible heat transfer from the heater 56 to the dies 50 and the sameare held in tight gripping engagement during the mechanical jarringwhich inherently occurs during the operation to be discussedhereinafter.

As can further be seen, a vertical frame plate 94 is fixedly connectedto an end of the plate 92 and has mounting holes 110 therein forappropriate mounting of the assembly along a processing line. Anappropriate power supply or cord 108 is properly disposed inourrent-passing connection to the heater element 56. Of course, thepositioning of the power source 108 and the means for attaching theassembly to a processing line and many other mechanical structures ofthe invention may be slightly altered for purposes of ready adaptationto existing elements while staying within the scope of the instantinvention.

Further provided with the apparatus of the invention is a stainlesssteel rod 105 having connected to one end thereof a Teflon or other heatresistant handle 106. This rod is of such nature as to be readilyutilized in sliding the removable die holder 52 out of position once thevise jaw 78 has been appropriately loosened so that various dies may beinterchangeably used with the system. It should of course also bereadily apparent that in removing the entire heater assembly by means ofthe clamp rod assembly 62, it is preferable that the vise jaw 78 againbe loosened.

OPERATION The apparatus presented hereinabove may, of course, operate inany of various modes. It is, however, preferred that the system beplaced along a conveyor processing line with the hammer assemblypositioned on one side of the line and the heater and die assemblypositioned on the other with the dies 50 directly opposite the hammerhead 30. As waxed cartons or other appropriate containers 120 passesdown the line, the gables 122 thereof or other points which are to bemarked will be interposed directly between the hammer 30 and the heateddies 50. It is contemplated that each carton passing down the line willactuate a microswitch which in turn will momentarily actuate the skinnersolenoid 12 for the application of an indicia to the carton immediatelypreceding it on the conveyor line. It should of course be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art that the microswitch could becoupled with a time delay so that each carton would actuate the solenoidfor the application of data to itself. The combination of the preferredwaxed carton and the heat of the dies 50 make it such that the actualperiod of contact of the gable 122 with the dies 50 need be but for avery short period of time so that the operation may be performed withoutstopping the motion of the conveyor line. Hence, the skinner solenoid 12applies pressure to the cylinder 18 to cause reciprocating action of thepush bar 25 and the instanteous contacting of the gable 122 against thedie 50 by means of'the hammer head 30. The duration of the actuation ofthe solenoid 12 may of course be controlled by any appropriate timingcircuit as is well known in the art and may be adjustable to correspondwith the carton composition or line speed. It should also be brieflynoted that an appropriate carton guide 124 may be positioned along theconveyor line to guide the cartons into appropriate alignment with thehammer head 30 and the dies 50.

It should now be appreciated that the objects of the invention have beenachieved by the apparatus and techniques presented hereinabove. While inaccordance with the Patent Statutes only the best mode and preferredembodiments of the invention have been presented and described indetail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited theretoor thereby. Consequently for an appreciation of the true scope andbreadth of the invention reference should be had to the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for branding data onto an article, comprising:

a reciprocating hammer assembly including a hammer head movably attachedto reciprocation actuation means; and

a stationary heater and die assembly including:

a frame for containing the structure of the heater and die assembly andhaving a slot therein;

an insulated box;

a push rod removably received within the slot and having a biasingspring thereabout on one side of the frame and being connected to theinsulated box on the other side of the frame, the spring urging theinsulated box into frictional securing engagement with the frame;

a heating element secured to the insulated box;

at least one die in contacting engagement with the heating element andpositioned opposite the hammer head;

means for retainingly engaging the die with the heating element.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the hammer head isresilient and heat resistant and affixed to the end of a push bar.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the reciprocationactuation means comprises a solenoid in air-passing connection with anair cylinder having a return spring, the air cylinder being operativelyconnected to the push bar.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3 which further includes means forsensing the presence of the article and activating the reciprocationactuation means as a consequence of such sensing. I

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for engagingthe die with the heater assembly includes a jaw pivotal at one end abouta plate depending from the frame and in engagement with the die at theother end thereof and having a bolt passing therethrough, the boltpassing through the frame and having a nut thereon on the side of theframe opposite the jaw.

6. A device for applying data to an article, comprising:

a frame having a slot therein;

a heater assembly in slidingly removable engagement within the slot ofthe frame;

a die containing the data thereon;

ajaw pivotal at one end about a plate depending from the frame and inengagement with the die at the 6 being connected to the insulated box onthe other side of the frame, the spring urging the insulated box intofrictional securing engagement with the frame; and

a heating element secured to the insulated box.

8. The device as recited in claim 7 but wherein the hammer meanscomprises a resilient heat-resistant head mounted on the end of the pushrod, the push rod being caused to reciprocate by connection to asolenoid-actuated air cylinder having a return spring.

1. Apparatus for branding data onto an article, comprising: areciprocating hammer assembly including a hammer head movably attachedto reciprocation actuation means; and a stationary heater and dieassembly including: a frame for containing the structure of the heaterand die assembly and having a slot therein; an insulated box; a push rodremovably received within the slot and having a biasing springthereabout on one side of the frame and being connected to the insulatedbox on the other side of the frame, the spring urging the insulated boxinto frictional securing engagement with the frame; a heating elementsecured to the insulated box; at least one die in contacting engagementwith the heating element and positioned opposite the hammer head; meansfor retainingly engaging the die with the heating element.
 2. Theapparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the hammer head is resilient andheat resistant and affixed to the end of a push bar.
 3. The apparatus asrecited in claim 2 wherein the reciprocation actuation means comprises asolenoid in air-passing connection with an air cylinder having a returnspring, the air cylinder being operatively connected to the push bar. 4.The apparatus as recited in claim 3 which further includes means forsensing the presence of the article and activating the reciprocationactuation means as a consequence of such sensing.
 5. The apparatus asrecited in claim 1 wherein the means for engaging the die with theheater assembly includes a jaw pivotal at one end about a platedepending from the frame and in engagement with the die at the other endthereof and having a bolt passing therethrough, the bolt passing throughthe frame and having a nut thereon on the side of the frame opposite thejaw.
 6. A device for applying data to an article, comprising: a framehaving a slot therein; a heater assembly in slidingly removableengagement within the slot of the frame; a die containing the datathereon; a jaw pivotal at one end about a plate depending from the frameand in engagement with the die at the other end and having a boltpassing therethrough, the bolt passing through the frame and having anut thereon on the side of the frame opposite the jaw; and reciprocatinghammer means aligned with and positioned opposite the die for forcingthe article into impacting engagement with the die.
 7. The deviceaccording to claim 6 wherein the heater assembly comprises an insulatedbox and a push rod removably received within the slot and having biasingspring thereabout on one side of the frame and being connected to theinsulated box on the other side of the frame, the spring urging theinsulated box into frictional securing engagement with the frame; and aheating element secured to the insulated box.
 8. The device as recitedin claim 7 but wherein the hammer means comprises a resilientheat-resistant head mounted on the end of the push rod, the push rodbeing caused to reciprocate by connection to a solenoid-actuated aircylinder having a return spring.